Trinamool MP quizzed by cops in Saradha chit fund scam

Kolkaata, April 29 (IANS) Police Monday quizzed Trinamool Congres MP Kunal Ghosh in connection with the Saradha Group chit fund scam that has rocked West Bengal.

Bidhannagar Deputy Commissioner of Police Arnab Ghosh called in Kunal Ghosh, who was the CEO of Saradha Media controlling at least ten television news channels and newspapers run by the group. Ghosh has claimed that he resigned before the media arm was shut down completely.

"So much lies are being spread. I find it very uncomfortable. So I had given a press statement wanting to tell my side of the story to the police. Today (Arnab) Ghosh called me," Kunal Ghosh said.

The newly set up Bidhannagar police commissionerate is probing the Saradha chit fund muddle and has taken group chief Sudipta Sen in its custody.

Asked whether he was coming to the comissioneratee on his own or in response to summons from the police, the Trinamool MP said: "Both premises were correct."

Sen, behind bars and facing prosecution for cheating, had written to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), accusing several high profile Trinamool Congress and Congress leaders, including Kunal Ghosh, of complicity in the chit fund scam.

Sen has accused Ghosh of blackmailing him and barging into his office with miscreants and extracting a sale deed for a media house which Sen owned.

Two first information reports (FIRs) have been filed against Kunal Ghosh in areas under the jurisdiction of the city police based on complaints by employees of media organisations run by the group for non-payment of salaries and for not depositing provident fund and tax deducted at source (TDS) with authorities. The media units were shut down by Sen in March and April.

The collapse of the group has already resulted in four agents and depositors committing suicide in West Bengal, while its offices have been attacked and ransacked with the ruling Trinamool Congress in a spot over allegations of links of its leaders - including MPs and a minister - with the group.